Run the Rapids: Green River Cove Trail on North Carolina’s Green River Game Lands

For a basic river side trail, Green River Cove Trail is pretty good and exactly what it advertises – a moderate hike along Green River to some of its coves. Also, it ends at a really fun flooded boulder field that is a big hit with goats and random humans alike.

Is it goat approved? Yes, while popular this trail is very goatable and ends in a nice boulder field that is not surprisingly popular with rock hopping caprines.

How you get there: There are several parking areas on both sides of the bridge that crosses the river located at 35.274196, -82.305912. These are gravel pull offs on the side of the road. The actual trail is on the eastern side of the bridge and goes up the mountain right off a gravel driveway.

Time for the hike: 6.6 miles out and back, with some moderate hill climbs because you’re going along the mountainside not just in the flood plain of the river.

Best season to do this hike: Whenever anyone else seems uninclined to do it. This is a very popular trail. The road to reach it is also not likely to be passable in snow or ice.

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Trails to Take

Starting off at the parking areas on Green River Cove Rd you want to walk across the bridge if you are on the west side of it and the trail is immediately beyond the bridge going up the mountain. It’s pretty worn and has a set of stairs, the only hiccup for me was it’s coming off some dude’s driveway, which caused me to think it might not be public property initially.

The first climb up isn’t as bad as it looks though and the trail fairly quickly dies down to a mostly flat stretch along the mountainside, covered in trilliums and jack in the pulpits. You’ll pass the turn off for Bluff Trail. The trail eventually brings you back down to the flood plain, where the ruins of a house sit trail side at 35.272672,-82.310794. There’s a couple of creeks to cross, but nothing difficult, and a few patches of nice looking hemlocks. The trail turns, going up river, and a variety of side trails lead down to the water, which becomes more scenic and rocky as you go.

The trail cuts uphill, with a possible route around being created that’s less uphill (the trail splits in two for some reason, don’t ask me why or if it’s official). Here an outcropping of rocks will let the more adventurous goat pretend it’s awesome while it stands right on the edge and looks down. The trail will continue up, joining an old road bed, and keep right on keeping it till after the turn to Pulliam Creek Trail. Staying on Green River Cove eventually gets you back down to the river and to a large and very fun boulder field on the river that the trail dead ends into.

From here you can rock hop till you’re ready to hike back.